Movie Review: Footrot Flats: A Dog’s Tale.

Rattle your dags, boys and girls and feast your eyes on an oldie but a goodie Kiwi Classic and childhood favourite of mine that comes to the small screen in the form of Footrot Flats: A Dog’s Tale. Featuring the characters from the late Murray Ball’s “Footrot Flats” – New Zealands most beloved local cartoon strip.

image couresty of Amazon.com

Join Dog, Jess, Wal, Cooch, Horse, Major, Rangi, Pongo, Cheeky and “those bloody Murphys” , where Dog goes on ‘a journey of a thousand miles’, and an epic adventure. You will bear witness to his first encounter with the sexy Jess, his loyal devotion to Wal Footrot, whom he saves from a fate worse than death; his adventures with Horse, the cat with the barracuda jaw and fishhook claws; his brilliant cowardice and mighty nose, pitted against the dastardly schemes of the villainous Murphys, their hell hounds and the Croco Pigs.

This film will also keep you entertained and glued to the small screen. Not to mention it’s jam packed full of Kiwi words, sayings and slang and references to Kiwi culture! The soundtrack, by Dave Dobbyn is mind blowing filled with famous popular Kiwi classics such as Slice of Heaven and You Oughta to be in love. Overall this film is VERY FUNNY! I laughed all the way through, especially during the part where Wal is serenading Cheeky with a love ballad  aka You Oughta to be in love, (see youtube clip down below!), Dog gets ambushed by an army of rats and the battle to the death with the deadly croco-pigs!

A film that can be enjoyed by all ages and a great film to watch with the family over fish and chips on a Saturday night. 6/10 all the way!

 

6 new children’s non fiction summer entertainment guide

December marks the first month of summer, the countdown to Christmas and the end of 2016. Let’s hope 2017 is an even better year! So for your reading pleasure, the library has some new non fiction available from your local library for lazy days in sun – if cricket doesn’t tickle your fancy or the occasional rainy days. Check out books about Marvel’s heroes, Star Wars, building your own lego creations and classic childhood favourites. Enjoy!

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Cuckoo and the warbler.

The cuckoo and the warbler tells the unique story of one of the most remarkable wildlife relationships in New Zealand, between pipiwharauroa, the shining cuckoo, and riroriro, the grey warbler. Although rarely seen by humans, the interaction of these two native birds is a striking example of nature’s inventiveness – a drama that comes to life through the exquisite illustrations of Heather’s hunt’s latest book.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Ultimate Peter Rabbit.

A childhood classic and favourite of all time. Journey into a world where Beatrix Potter’s creations comes to life in the gorgeous visual guide. Meet the real Peter Rabbit, (Beatrix Potter’s childhood pet), discover real life places that inspired all of Potter’s works and pore over original archive illustrations, sketches and photographs.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsAwesome Lego Creations.

A must have for all the lego fans out there! Grab hold of this book and have a blast with building new lego toys, including animals, scenes and working contraptions.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Amazing Book of Star Wars.

Start your Padawan’s training off right with The Amazing Book of Star Wars, the perfect introduction for young fans to the Star Wars galaxy. Large pictures and short, simple sentences bring Star Wars to life for children as they learn about the brave heroes, helpful droids, amazing aliens, and powerful foes from the saga. Favorite characters and fascinating vehicles are explored in a fun, age-appropriate way, from Yoda and Luke Skywalker to the Millennium Falcon and BB-8″–Publisher’s website.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMaui and other Maori Legends.

A very special collection of exciting, magical Maori myths and legends of adventure and intrigue. A great resource to have on hand for Maori language week and Matariki.

 

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsMarvel : absolutely everything you need to know … 

Packed with fun facts, bizarre-but-true tales, and quirky insights into everyone’s favorite Marvel comic characters, including The Avengers, Spider-Man, and Daredevil. little-known facts and information about the iconic Marvel characters.

 

 

 

To celebrate summer and Christmas, check out this awesome clip where Irish pop star, Ronan Keating and Kiwi actor, Julian Dennison put a Kiwi spin on a much beloved classic Christmas carol Winter Wonderland, with a lyrical twist for the Southern Hemisphere and recorded for Air New Zealand.  In Summer Wonderland, the duo sing about prickles on the lawn, passing around a can of mozzie spray, and tucking into pavlova. This Christmas carol really showcases and beautifully captures the sprit and essence of a Kiwi Christmas! Check it out!

 

 

 

 

New Non Fiction: Ready, Steady, Cook!

Almost two-thirds of the winter has now gone!  We have had cold and nasty periods of gale winds, hail, snow, rain and storms in the Capital. So now that the school holidays have started, why not come in from the cold and check out Wellington City Libraries’  new range of cooking and baking non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure.

Our new range of cookbooks contains information on how to make an assortment of savories and sweets for ideal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks parties, and high tea. Also included are ideas on how to make Italian dishes, Kiwiana themed cupcakes, Narnian themed food and meals that meet the nutritional guidelines  of healthy eating.

Fancy some Italian…

The Silver Spoon for Children.

Fancy some Italian this winter? This delightful book holds 40 Italian recipes adapted from The Silver Spoon by a specially commissioned expert on children’s food and nutrition. The recipes have been chosen for their simple instructions, fresh and healthy ingredients and delicious flavor, and are guaranteed to appeal to the fussiest of children, so parents can rest easy knowing that their children will be eating healthily. You will learn how to make your own pizza, spaghetti and ice cream. Every step is described and illustrated to make the recipes easy to follow and there are photographs so that you can see what the finished dishes are suppose to look like.

 

 

Take a trip back to Narnia…

The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook.

We all know the series (and the movies). Have you ever wished you could travel through the wardrobe and simply taste some of the wondrous food featured? With The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook, you can recreate the delicious meals from Narnia in the comfort of your own home without worrying about the White Witch or epic battles. Menus include more than 150 easy-to-make recipes for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, and of course dessert. Relive the magical and glorious world of Narnia as you cook your way through foods so good, you’ll think Aslan delivered them himself.

If you’re visiting your local library, you might also want check out the books and the DVDs.

Books: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and his boy, The Magician’s Nephew and The Last Battle.

DVDs (BBC): The Lion, The Witch and The WardrobePrince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair

DVDs (Motion Picture): The Lion, The Witch and The WardrobePrince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

 

Simple, easy (and healthy recipes) for kids…

4 Ingredients Kids.

This is a cookbook that all health conscious parents should read (or perhaps own.) 4 Ingredients Kids is loaded with healthy and fun recipes that will encourage kids to eat healthily without spending a fortune nor taking hours to make. I was very impressed with how the author, Kim McCosker has come up with imaginative themed recipes for children, like Volcanic eggs, grape wands  and Cinderella’s pumpkin soup that makes meal times fun and enjoyable. I also liked the idea for creating butterfly themed snack bags, (see the recipe for Play Date Buddies.)

 

 

Cookbooks by Sabrina Parrini.

Little Kitchen.

In the mood for quick after-school snacks, impressive dinners and sweet desserts. Then look no further. Little Kitchen is a beautifully designed and photographed collection of forty recipes for children aged six years and up. With clear, step-by-step instructions, each recipe will teach you how to make all the tasty treats you long to  eat and when to ask a grownup for help. Included are recipes for: Little Egg and Bacon Breakfast Pies, Minestrone, Yummy Mini Burgers, Meatballs, Tutti Frutti Salad, Gingerbread Snowflakes, and more! Yum!

 

 

Half-Hour Hungries.

Got the munchies? Want an easy meal in less than 30 minutes? Then Half-hour Hungries is the book for you! This book contains information on 36 awesome dishes for kids to make when the time is short, like Nacho-flavoured popcorn, Sloppy Joes and Croque Monsieur that are bound to satisfy rumbling tummies.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Kiwiana…

Party Food for Girls.

Sugar and spice and all things nice. That’s what little girls are made of. And this book goes to show that the proof is definitely in the pudding. (No pun intended)  Written by Italian-born, New Zealand based food writer and travel journalist, Alessandra Zecchini, Party Food for Girls is perfect for girls who want to create scrumptious sweet treats, like teapot biscuits, and healthy snacks, like lavash salad rolls for birthday parties and high tea events.

 

 

 

Kiwiana Cupcakes, Cake Pops and Whoopie Pies.

“Kirsten Day does cupcakes, cake pops and whoopie pies Kiwiana-style, creating delectable treats to celebrate our Kiwi culture. In full colour with never-fail recipes, tips and hints, advice on Kiwiana styling and variations on design.” – Publisher information. Day’s take on Kiwiana styling of cupcakes is fantastic, especially with the Chocolate Kiwi, Chocolate Kiwifruit, Tomato sauce bottle and even Fish and Chips themed cupcakes. This book puts all cupcake recipes you know and heard of to shame.

 

What’s on today? Wednesday 1st May.

Here’s what’s happening today:

Special Event: Meet a Tuatara! 

Tawa Library, 11am: Have you ever met a dinosaur? No? Here’s your chance! Sue Keall from Victoria University is bringing along Spike the Tuatara to Miramar Library. 

Find out about why Tuataras are so special and learn how we can protect them and make sure they survive for many more generations.

This free event is suitable for 5-12 year olds. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Miramar Library on 388 8005 to secure your place.

 

Sorry, this event is now full.

 

 

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Central Library, 9.30am

Johnsonville Library, 9.30am

 

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Cummings Park Library (Ngaio), 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Newtown Library, 10.30am

Kilbirnie Library, 10.30am

Find out what’s on at the Kids’ Events page.

 

What’s on today? Tuesday 30th April.

2nd week of the school holidays! The weather looks great today, but we’ve still got some cool stuff happening in our libraries. Take a break from the sunshine, come on in and check it out.


Special event: Kiwana!

Newtown Library, 10.30am: Slip on your jandals and join us for Kiwiana holiday fun! We’ll be reading stories by NZ authors, playing NZ bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet As!

 

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for mums and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Miramar Library, 10.15am

Island Bay Library, 9.30am

 

 

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Brooklyn Library, 10.30am

Central Library, 10.30am

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Khandallah Library, 10.30am

 

All events are free and no booking are required. Find out what else is on at our kids’ events page.

 

 

 

What’s on Today? Friday 26th April.

Week 1 of the school holidays is nearly over. The holidays always seem to go faster than the school terms. Check out these cool events going on today:

Special Event: Meet a Tuatara! 

Cummings Park Library (Ngaio), 11am: Have you ever met a dinosaur? No? Here’s your chance! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is bringing along Spike the Tuatara to Miramar Library.

Find out about why Tuataras are so special and learn how we can protect them and make sure they survive for many more generations.

This free event is suitable for 5-12 year olds. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Cummings Park Library on 479 2344 to secure your place.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. Next Tuatara event is at Tawa Library on Wednesday 1 May, 11am

 

 

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for parents and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Karori Library, 10.30am

Tawa Library, 9.30am

Kilbirnie Library, 10.15am

 

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Central Library, 10.30am

 

 

What’s on today? Tuesday 23rd April

Day 2 of the school holidays! Here’s some more cool free stuff for you to do.

 

Special Event: Kiwiana!

Kilbirnie Library, 10.30am: Slip on your jandals and join us for Kiwiana holiday fun! We’ll be reading stories by NZ authors, playing NZ bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet As!

 

Baby Rock & Rhyme: Perfect for mums and bubs aged 0-2yrs old.

Miramar Library, 10.15am

Island Bay Library, 9.30am

 

 

Storytimes: fun stories and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Older siblings are welcome.

Brooklyn Library, 10.30am

Central Library, 10.30am

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am

Karori Library, 10.30am

Khandallah Library, 10.30am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s on today? Monday 22nd April

The school holidays are here! These are the FREE and fun things you can do at libraries today:

Special Event: Author and Illustrator visit!

Lucas and Jutta Chisholm, Author and Illustrator of the awesome book ‘Meet Mr. Mr Sunny’, are visiting to run fun activities with you. Listen to this cool book being read aloud, find out all about how to write books and even draw and make your own book character. Cool!

Wellington Central Library, 11am. No bookings required, suitable for 5-12 year olds. Free.

 

Special Event: Kiwana!

Read and act out one of Margaret Mahy’s most popular books – Down the Back of the Chair and more fun-filled Kiwiana activities. The lovely librarians have some fun tricks up their sleeves for this one.

Johnsonville Library, 10.30am. No bookings required, suitable for 5-12 year olds. Free.

 

 

 

Storytimes:

Don’t forget our fun and popular storytimes during the school holidays.

Karori Library at 10.30am

Tawa Library at 10.30am

Kilbirnie Library at 10.30am

School Holiday activities! Here are the details.

Looking for fun? Look no further – we have some awesome school holiday activities planned for you. Best of all – they are free!

Here’s what’s happening:

Monday 22nd April, 11 am, Central Library: Wellington author and illustrator duo, Lucas and Jutta Chisholm will show off their latest creation and teach you how to draw and create your own character from the book. Prepare for hands-on fun with books, drawing and plasticine!

Monday 22nd April, 10.30 am, Johnsonville Library: Join us for an interactive story-time where we read and act out ‘Down the Back of the Chair’ by Margaret Mahy. Take part in other ‘Kiwiana’ activities during this fun-filled hour.

Tuesday 23rd April, 10.30 am, Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie Library): Slip on your jandals and join us for holiday fun at Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library to celebrate Kiwiana! We will be reading stories by New Zealand authors, playing New Zealand bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet as!

Wednesday 24th April, 11 am, Miramar Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 388 8005

Friday 26th April, 11 am, Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 479 2344

Monday 29th April, 11 am, Karori Library: Special Kiwiana story time. Come along for fun stories with a New Zealand twist.

Tuesday 30th April, 10.30 am, Newtown Library: Slip on your jandals and join us for holiday fun at Newtown Library to celebrate Kiwiana. We will be reading stories by New Zealand authors, playing New Zealand bingo, and holding a rock-stacking competition called Tu Kohatu. Sweet as!

Wednesday 1st May, 11 am, Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library: Meet a tuatara! Sue Keall from Victoria University of Wellington is visiting with a living fossil – an amazing part of our country’s natural history. Learn how to protect them. Bookings essential – phone 232 1690

Thursday 2nd May, 11 am, Central Library: What do ANZAC biscuits have to do with ANZAC day? What’s it like being a soldier away from home, missing your family, friends and favourite food? Explore the great ANZAC biscuit and it’s place in history.

 

All our events are listed on the Children’s Events page. All events are free and, unless stated above, no bookings are required.  All events are suitable fro 5-12 year olds.